La Traviata Tickets Continued
La Traviata has been adapted to many forms. A film version of the opera was
released in 1982, directed by Franco Zeffirelli and featuring Teresa Stratas, Placido Domingo
and Cornell MacNeil. Various versions of the movie Camille were also adapted from the same
novel. Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film Moulin Rouge! was also inspired by the story.
Act I
Violetta Valery, a famed courtesan, throws a lavish party at her Parisian abode to celebrate her
recovery from an illness. Gaston, a count, has brought with him his friend the young nobleman
Alfredo Germont, who has longed for a year to meet Violetta. Alfredo, upon introduction to
Violetta, expresses his concern for her fragile health and later declares his love for her. Violetta
rejects him but gives him a camellia, telling him to return when the flower has wilted. After the
guests leave, Violetta contemplates the possibility of a real relationship with true love, but finally
rejects the notion. She needs freedom to live life, night and day, from one pleasure to
another.
Act II
A few months later, Alfredo and Violetta together lead an idyllic existence in a country house
outside of Paris - Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo in spite of herself. She has completely
abandoned her former life. When Alfredo discovers, however, that Violetta has sold her
belongings to support this country life, he rushes to Paris to rectify the situation. In Alfredo's
absence, his father comes to Violetta and tells her that their relationship has destroyed Alfredo's
future and the fortunes of Alfredo's sister (Violetta's reputation as a courtesan has compromised
the Germont name). With growing remorse she listens to the pathetic words of the older Germont
and, through his influence, leaves Alfredo, giving as explanation a desire for her old, wild
existence.
Act III
In order to overcome her grief, Violetta plunges more deeply than ever into dissipation. Some
time later, Alfredo confronts Violetta at a party and disgraces her before the other guests by
throwing money at her - money he says he owes her for services rendered while they lived
together in the country (he does not know of his father's visit and believes that Violetta has left
him for another man.) Violetta, overcome with sickness and sorrow, faints. Germont enters and
chastises Alfredo for treating a woman so disrespectfully. Baron Douphol, Violetta's escort,
challenges Alfredo to a duel. Violetta regains consciousness and pleads her love for
Alfredo.
Act IV
A few months after the party, tuberculosis (or "consumption" in 19th-century opera vernacular)
has confined Violetta to her bed. Old Germont sends her a letter stating that he has informed
Alfredo of the sacrifice Violetta made for Alfredo and his sister. Alfredo (returning from exile after
wounding the Baron in their duel), hastens to her side, understanding at last that Violetta had
sacrificed herself for his sake, and begs her forgiveness. She dies in his arms.
